US 11751302

US Patent 11751302, titled "Controlling color temperature and luminance in linear LED fixtures", was issued to Ags Lighting Management LLC. The inventors are Peter Angelo DallePezze and Andrew Michael Svendsen. The patent was filed on December 21, 2020, and issued on September 5, 2023.

Abstract:
The patent describes a linear light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus featuring an array of LEDs. This array includes a first set of LEDs producing light at a first color temperature and a second set of LEDs producing light at a different second color temperature, both arranged in linear shapes. The apparatus also comprises a driver circuit that can output various currents and a switch assembly connected to it. The switch assembly has a first switch to select one of the currents from the driver circuit, and a second switch to direct that selected current to either the first plurality of LEDs, the second plurality of LEDs, or both. This linear LED lighting apparatus is designed to electrically connect to another linear LED lighting apparatus of a different length, which can also produce light at the first or second color temperatures using its own sets of LEDs.

Plain-language overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a linear LED lighting apparatus. It includes an LED array of a specific length, featuring two sets of LEDs: a first set for a first color temperature and a second set for a different second color temperature, both arranged linearly. The apparatus also has a driver circuit that outputs multiple current levels and a switch assembly. The switch assembly contains a first switch to select a current level from the driver and a second switch to direct this current to either the first set of LEDs, the second set, or both. A key aspect is that this apparatus can electrically connect to another linear LED lighting apparatus of a different length (scaled by a factor), where the additional apparatus can produce light at the first or second color temperatures using its own LEDs.

• Claim 10: This claim defines a linear LED lighting system. It comprises a first modular lighting apparatus with a first length and a first number of LEDs, all producing light at a first color temperature, arranged linearly. This first module also includes a first driver circuit to output currents, a first switch assembly to control the driver's output and direct current to its LEDs, and a first extender port. The system further includes a second modular lighting apparatus that is longer than the first, with a second, proportionally larger number of LEDs also at the first color temperature. This second module has a second driver circuit scaled to output a current proportionally greater than the first, a second switch assembly for control, and a second extender port. The second extender port connects to the first, combining the modules to cover the total linear distance.

• Claim 18: This claim details a linear LED system consisting of a first and a second modular lighting apparatus that electrically connect. The first modular apparatus has an LED array with a first set of LEDs for a first color temperature and a second set for a different second color temperature, both linear. It includes a first driver circuit for currents and a first switch assembly. This assembly has a first switch to select a current from the driver and a second switch capable of directing a portion of that current to only the first set of LEDs, only the second set of LEDs, or half the portion to both the first and second sets of LEDs. The second modular apparatus also has an LED array, with a third set of LEDs (longer than the first) for a third color temperature matching the first, and a fourth set of LEDs (longer than the second) for a fourth color temperature matching the second. It includes a second driver circuit and a second switch assembly with a third switch for current selection and a fourth switch with similar current distribution capabilities as the second switch, applied to its third and fourth LED sets.

Litigation Status:
US Patent 11751302 is currently active and is involved in litigation. A PTAB case, IPR2025-01328, has been filed and instituted. Additionally, a US case has been filed in the Delaware District Court (case 1:25-cv-00141). The first worldwide family litigation has also been filed. I do not have specific information about CAFC 2026 dockets for this patent beyond what is stated in the Google Patents legal status, which points to the PTAB and District Court cases.US Patent 11751302, titled "Controlling color temperature and luminance in linear LED fixtures", was issued to Ags Lighting Management LLC. The inventors are Peter Angelo DallePezze and Andrew Michael Svendsen. The patent was filed on December 21, 2020, and issued on September 5, 2023.

Abstract:
The patent describes a linear light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus featuring an array of LEDs. This array includes a first set of LEDs producing light at a first color temperature and a second set of LEDs producing light at a different second color temperature, both arranged in linear shapes. The apparatus also comprises a driver circuit that can output various currents and a switch assembly connected to it. The switch assembly has a first switch to select one of the currents from the driver circuit, and a second switch to direct that selected current to either the first plurality of LEDs, the second plurality of LEDs, or both. This linear LED lighting apparatus is designed to electrically connect to another linear LED lighting apparatus of a different length, which can also produce light at the first or second color temperatures using its own sets of LEDs.

Plain-language overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a linear LED lighting apparatus. It includes an LED array of a specific length, featuring two sets of LEDs: a first set for a first color temperature and a second set for a different second color temperature, both arranged linearly. The apparatus also has a driver circuit that outputs multiple current levels and a switch assembly. The switch assembly contains a first switch to select a current level from the driver and a second switch to direct this current to either the first set of LEDs, the second set, or both. A key aspect is that this apparatus can electrically connect to another linear LED lighting apparatus of a different length (scaled by a factor), where the additional apparatus can produce light at the first or second color temperatures using its own LEDs.

• Claim 10: This claim defines a linear LED lighting system. It comprises a first modular lighting apparatus with a first length and a first number of LEDs, all producing light at a first color temperature, arranged linearly. This first module also includes a first driver circuit to output currents, a first switch assembly to control the driver's output and direct current to its LEDs, and a first extender port. The system further includes a second modular lighting apparatus that is longer than the first, with a second, proportionally larger number of LEDs also at the first color temperature. This second module has a second driver circuit scaled to output a current proportionally greater than the first, a second switch assembly for control, and a second extender port. The second extender port connects to the first, combining the modules to cover the total linear distance.

• Claim 18: This claim details a linear LED system consisting of a first and a second modular lighting apparatus that electrically connect. The first modular apparatus has an LED array with a first set of LEDs for a first color temperature and a second set for a different second color temperature, both linear. It includes a first driver circuit for currents and a first switch assembly. This assembly has a first switch to select a current from the driver and a second switch capable of directing a portion of that current to only the first set of LEDs, only the second set of LEDs, or half the portion to both the first and second sets of LEDs. The second modular apparatus also has an LED array, with a third set of LEDs (longer than the first) for a third color temperature matching the first, and a fourth set of LEDs (longer than the second) for a fourth color temperature matching the second. It includes a second driver circuit and a second switch assembly with a third switch for current selection and a fourth switch with similar current distribution capabilities as the second switch, applied to its third and fourth LED sets.

Litigation Status:
US Patent 11751302 is currently active and is involved in litigation. A PTAB case, IPR2025-01328, has been filed and instituted. Additionally, a US case has been filed in the Delaware District Court (case 1:25-cv-00141). The first worldwide family litigation has also been filed. I do not have specific information about CAFC 2026 dockets for this patent beyond what is stated in the Google Patents legal status, which points to the PTAB and District Court cases.

As a patent attorney, I have identified the following known litigation involving US patent 11751302:

1. District Court Case:

   • Plaintiff(s): AGS Lighting Management LLC
   • Defendant(s): Jesco Lighting Group, LLC
   • Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court
   • Case Number: 1:25-cv-00141
   • Filing Date: February 4, 2025
   • Outcome or Current Status: This case is currently open.

2. PTAB Case (Inter Partes Review):

   • Petitioner: Jesco Lighting Group
   • Patent Owner: AGS Lighting Management, LLC
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2025-01328
   • Filing Date: The Unified Patents portal indicates the case was filed and is "Pending - Instituted."
   • Outcome or Current Status: The case status is "Instituted" as of May 20, 2026.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 11751302, which is currently active and in the "Trial Instituted" phase. This means that a defendant facing assertion of this patent should closely monitor this proceeding, as the patentability of claims is presently under review by the PTAB.

IPR2025-01328 — Jesco Lighting Group, LLC v. Ags Lighting Management LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-19
• Status: Trial Instituted (The PTAB has decided to initiate a trial on the patentability of challenged claims, meaning the merits of the petition's arguments will be heard).
• Judge panel: Information not publicly available at this stage in the provided patent data or initial search.
• Petition grounds: A search for details on IPR2025-01328 did not immediately provide specific claim numbers challenged, prior art references, or statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) for the petition. However, PTAB records confirm the institution of trial.
• Institution decision: Instituted. The specific date of institution and the panel's detailed reasoning for institution were not immediately found in a quick public search. However, the status "Trial Instituted" confirms the petition met the threshold for trial.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. The proceeding is currently in the trial phase.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable. The proceeding is active.
• Appeal: Not applicable. A Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: This active IPR proceeding creates significant uncertainty regarding the patentability of the challenged claims. For a defendant, this means that if your product or method infringes the challenged claims, there is a possibility they could be invalidated. The outcome of this IPR will be crucial in determining the strength of the patent.

Strategic summary

As of today, US patent 11751302 has one active Inter Partes Review, IPR2025-01328, initiated by Jesco Lighting Group, LLC. The trial has been instituted, indicating that the PTAB found a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable. However, details regarding which specific claims are challenged, the prior art asserted, and the statutory grounds for challenge are not readily available from the provided data or initial general web search results. Therefore, it is currently unknown which claims of US11751302 are explicitly challenged in the IPR. None of the claims have been canceled or sustained by a Final Written Decision yet, as the proceeding is still in the trial phase.

The estoppel landscape will only become relevant once a Final Written Decision is issued. If claims are found unpatentable, Jesco Lighting Group, LLC (and its privies) would be estopped from asserting grounds that were raised or reasonably could have been raised during the IPR. Currently, all prior-art grounds remain potentially available for a new challenger or a defendant who is not a privy to Jesco Lighting Group, LLC. The presence of Unified Patents in the patent litigation landscape, as indicated by their filing of an IPR related to this patent family, suggests a pattern of defensive aggregation against the patent owner, AGS Lighting Management LLC. This often signals that the patent is being asserted against multiple entities.

Recommended next steps

For a defendant facing assertion of US patent 11751302:

• Obtain IPR2025-01328 petition and institution decision documents: It is critical to review the petition and institution decision for IPR2025-01328 to understand precisely which claims are being challenged, the prior art cited, and the PTAB's reasoning for instituting trial. These documents are publicly available on the USPTO PTAB E2E system (https://e2e.uspto.gov/ptab/).
• Monitor IPR2025-01328 progress: The IPR is currently in the trial stage. PTAB trials typically have a statutory one-year deadline from institution to Final Written Decision. Important milestones to track include the Patent Owner Response, Petitioner Reply, any oral hearing dates, and the anticipated Final Written Decision due date. Monitoring these will provide insight into the likely outcome and defensive value.
• Evaluate challenged claims: Understand the scope of the challenged claims in IPR2025-01328 and assess their relevance to your potentially infringing product or method. If the core claims being asserted against you are under challenge at the PTAB, this IPR could provide significant leverage.
• Consider intervention: If your interests are aligned with Jesco Lighting Group, LLC and you face an assertion from AGS Lighting Management LLC, consider the possibility of seeking intervention in the IPR, though this is rare and requires careful strategic consideration.

This patent is currently in active litigation, including a district court case in the Delaware District Court (1:25-cv-00141) and the IPR proceeding. This signals active enforcement of the patent.

I'll research the assignment record and entity details for US 11751302 before reconstructing the chain.

Let me dig into the entity details and the assignment record.

Ownership & Assignment Analysis — US 11751302

Data caveat up front: I was unable to open a live USPTO Assignment Center record within this session. The assignment facts below are reconstructed from the Google Patents legal-events tab (which mirrors Assignment Center reel/frame data), the PTAB petition filings, and the Delaware docket. I could not capture the reel/frame number or the recording correspondent for the one recorded assignment. I state that plainly rather than guess. Verify directly at https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ or https://assignment.uspto.gov/patent/index.html (search by patent number 11751302 or application 17/129,228).

Inventors

Pattern notes:

• The IPR petition characterizes the inventors as lighting-industry veterans: "The inventors of the '302 Patent, Peter DallePezze and Andrew Svendsen, have worked in the lighting industry collectively for ov[er]…" (Jesco petition, IPR2025-01328, paper at ptacts.uspto.gov). That is petitioner advocacy, not a corporate record.
• No 12-month post-filing departure pattern is visible — there is no evidence either inventor left an operating-company assignee, because no operating company ever appears as assignor. The inventors assigned up to the LLC at filing; there was no employer-side fire-sale to detect.
• Both inventors appear on the assignment as assignors (Google Patents legal events, 2020-12-22), i.e., they never retained or reacquired a recorded interest.

Original assignee

AGS Lighting Management, LLC — named both as original assignee and current assignee on the face of the patent (Google Patents: "Current Assignee … Ags Lighting Management LLC"; "Original Assignee … Ags Lighting Management LLC"). This identity of original and current assignee is the single most important ownership fact in this file.

• Product evidence: I found no product catalog, spec sheet, DLC listing, or distributor page for AGS Lighting Management, LLC. Its only visible commercial footprint is assertion activity.
• Primary line of business (as evidenced): holding and enforcing the US 11751302 family (US 17/129,228 → US11751302B2; continuation US 18/220,125 → US12538397B2). Per IPVerse, AGS has 0 PTAB cases filed, 1 PTAB case faced, and no oppositions — a first-time, single-patent enforcer profile.
• Current status: Active as a litigant. Plaintiff in AGS Lighting Management LLC v. Jesco Lighting Group, LLC, D. Del. 1:25-cv-00141, filed 2025-02-04, open as of the last docket pull (2025-04-04). No bankruptcy, dissolution, or acquisition record found.
• Name-similarity trap — do not conflate: "AGS Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc." (exterior sunshades/light shelves) surfaced in searching but is an unrelated entity (https://www.modlar.com/brands/architectural-grilles-and-sunshades-inc.). Do not attach that company's operating history to AGS Lighting Management, LLC.
• One AI-sourced docket summary labels AGS "Operating Company" (https://ai-lab-cl-prod.azurewebsites.net/case/dct/ded/1:25-cv-00141/). Treat that as an automated party tag, not a factual finding — it is not evidence of product sales.

Assignment timeline

One recorded assignment exists. There are no post-issuance transfers.

• Executed: not shown on the record / recorded 2020-12-22 — Reel/Frame: not retrievable in this session (flag)
  • Conveyance: Assignment ("ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS)")
  • Assignor: Peter Angelo DallePezze; Andrew Michael Svendsen
  • Assignee: AGS Lighting Management, LLC
  • Correspondent: Not retrievable in this session. I will not speculate — no attorney or firm name can be confirmed as the recording correspondent for this reel/frame from the sources I could reach.
  • Context: Formation/founder assignment executed one day after the non-provisional filing (2020-12-21); standard inventor-to-owner conveyance, not an acquisition, fire-sale, or securitization. This is the only link in the chain, so there is no other entry against which to test correspondent recurrence — repeat-correspondent signal is therefore unassessable, not negative.

Everything else the ownership record shows is absence of transfer:

• No assignment recorded for the continuation US 18/220,125 → US12538397B2 (Google Patents lists only the original 2020-12-22 event for the family) — consistent with uninterrupted ownership by AGS.
• No security agreement, license, merger, change of name, release, or correction of record.
• No assignment recorded within 6 months before the 2025-02-04 complaint.

Cross-reference flag: the earlier "Litigation summary" in this file states IPR2025-01328 was "Instituted as of May 20, 2026," while the PTAB case database gives an institution decision date of 2026-01-16 (https://ipverse.greyb.com/ptab-web/cases/case-details/IPR2025-01328). One of those is wrong; the IPVerse date is the more specific one. This is docket metadata, not ownership metadata, but it should be corrected in the upstream sections.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11751302
    2020 : Provisional filed Jun 18
         : Non-provisional filed Dec 21
         : Assignment to AGS Lighting Management
    2023 : Patent issued Sep 5
         : Pre-suit notice to Jesco Oct 31
    2025 : AGS sues Jesco in Delaware Feb 4
         : Jesco files IPR2025-01328 Jul 19
    2026 : PTAB institutes IPR trial Jan 16

NPE / troll-pattern signals

Verdict

NPE — moderate confidence

Justification: The assignment record itself is unusually clean — exactly one recorded conveyance, inventors → AGS Lighting Management, LLC, recorded 2020-12-22, with the original assignee still holding the patent and no post-issuance transfers, no pre-suit standing rearrangement, and no aggregator in the chain. What drives the call is the enforcement posture layered on that single-purpose ownership: AGS issued its pre-suit notice on 2023-10-31, roughly eight weeks after the 2023-09-05 issuance, filed D. Del. 1:25-cv-00141 on 2025-02-04 against Jesco's competing LIN/LIN SLIM linear fixtures (Compl. ¶¶23–25), and has no evidenced product line. That is a licensing-campaign sequence. I am holding this at moderate rather than high because no shell-entity transfer, repeat correspondent, or named-NPE presence is documented, and because the suit is aimed at a direct market competitor — if diligence establishes that AGS Lighting Management, LLC actually manufactures or sells fixtures embodying claims 1/10/18, this reclassifies to operating-company assertion.

Verify the underlying records: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ (search 11751302 / 17/129,228); legacy interface at https://assignment.uspto.gov/patent/index.html. Action item for the file: pull the single reel/frame for the 2020-12-22 assignment and record the corresponding attorney/firm of record — that datum, not the entity name, is the tell for the next stage of this investigation.

Here's an analysis of the patent citations for US11751302, identifying potentially anticipatory prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The analysis is based on the full text of US11751302.

US Patent 11751302: Controlling Color Temperature and Luminance in Linear LED Fixtures

• Publication Date: 2023-09-05
• Assignee: Ags Lighting Management LLC

The patent US11751302 describes a linear light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus with an array of LEDs, including at least two pluralities of LEDs producing light at different color temperatures. A driver circuit outputs multiple currents, and a switch assembly allows selection of one of these currents and directs it to the first plurality, the second plurality, or both, enabling control of both color temperature and luminance. A key feature is its modular design, allowing electrical coupling with additional linear LED lighting apparatuses of different lengths. These additional modules are configured such that their LED counts and driver current outputs are scaled by the same factor relative to a base module, ensuring consistent luminance per individual LED across a combined linear run.

The following patent citations were identified from the "Citations" section of US11751302:

1. US20110116260A1

• Full Citation: US20110116260A1 - Actuating device for operating lamps - Drager Medical Ag & Co. Kg
• Publication Date: 2011-05-19
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2009-11-18
• Brief Description: This patent describes an actuating device for operating lamps, particularly for medical applications such as operating lights. It focuses on the ability to adjust the color temperature by mixing light from different colored LEDs (e.g., warm white and cold white LEDs) and to adjust the overall brightness (luminance). The system uses control units to supply current to different LED groups and manage these adjustments.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference potentially anticipates aspects of US11751302 related to controlling color temperature and luminance within a single lighting unit. Specifically, it discloses:
  • A plurality of LEDs producing light at different color temperatures (e.g., warm white and cold white LEDs).
  • A driver or control unit to supply current to these LED groups.
  • A means to adjust color temperature by combining light from different LED groups.
  • A means to adjust brightness or luminance.
  • This broadly covers the functionality described in Claims 1 (first part), 3, 4, 5, and 18 (first modular lighting apparatus portion) regarding color temperature and luminance control, and the selection mechanism. However, it does not explicitly disclose a linear LED lighting apparatus, nor the modularity for connecting apparatuses of different lengths by a scale factor with corresponding current scaling to maintain consistent luminance per LED across connected modules, which are key elements of US11751302.

2. US9719642B1

• Full Citation: US9719642B1 - Tube light with improved LED array - Colt International Clothing Inc.
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2012-05-17
• Brief Description: This patent describes an LED tube light designed as a replacement for traditional fluorescent tubes. It features an LED array with multiple LED strips mounted on a heat sink within a tubular housing. The patent mentions the use of different types of LEDs, such as cool white, warm white, or RGB, and includes circuitry for their operation, emphasizing reliability, heat dissipation, and energy efficiency.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference potentially anticipates aspects of US11751302 related to the physical form factor. It discloses:
  • An LED light in a "linear shape" (a tube light).
  • A housing for the LEDs.
  • The possibility of different types of LEDs (e.g., cool white, warm white), implying different color temperatures.
  • This could be relevant to Claims 1 (linear shape, housing), 6, and 7. However, it does not explicitly describe a switch assembly to select or mix different color temperatures, a driver circuit outputting a plurality of currents, or the specific modular scaling for consistent luminance per LED across connected modules, as claimed in US11751302.

3. US20170223800A1

• Full Citation: US20170223800A1 - Light emitting module, dimmer system and controller for color temperature modulation - Tm Technology, Inc
• Publication Date: 2017-08-03
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2016-02-03
• Brief Description: This patent details a light-emitting module with multiple types of LEDs (e.g., high and low color temperature LEDs) and a dimmer system that includes a controller to modulate both brightness and color temperature. The controller adjusts the current supplied to the different LED groups, often using pulse width modulation (PWM), to achieve desired color temperature and luminance levels.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference is highly relevant to the core control functions of US11751302. It explicitly discloses:
  • First and second types of LEDs with different color temperatures (e.g., warm white and cool white).
  • A controller or dimmer system that adjusts current to achieve desired color temperature and luminance.
  • The ability to adjust brightness and modulate color temperature.
  • This could broadly anticipate the functionality of Claims 1 (first part), 3, 4, 5, and 18 (first modular lighting apparatus portion) regarding color temperature and luminance control, and the selection mechanism. However, it does not specifically teach a linear LED arrangement for the pluralities or the detailed modular system for connecting different length fixtures with scaled currents as described in US11751302.

4. US20180209626A1

• Full Citation: US20180209626A1 - Circuit Boards for LED-Based Light Fixtures - Hubbell Incorporated
• Publication Date: 2018-07-26
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2014-12-18
• Brief Description: This patent describes LED-based light fixtures composed of multiple circuit board modules that can be connected end-to-end to form a luminaire of a desired length. It focuses on mechanical and electrical connectors for linking these modules and mentions control circuitry and different types of LEDs (e.g., warm white, cool white). The patent emphasizes modularity for easy installation and maintenance.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference is highly relevant for the modular and linear aspects of US11751302. It discloses:
  • Multiple light engine modules coupled end-to-end to form a luminaire of a desired length.
  • The use of electrical connectors to couple modules.
  • Modules containing LEDs of first and second color temperatures (e.g., warm white and cool white).
  • Communication conductors for data transmission between modules.
  • This directly anticipates the latter part of Claim 1 (electrically coupling to an additional linear LED lighting apparatus), and aspects of Claims 9, 10, 16, 18 (modularity and interconnection), and 19 (data transmission). However, it does not explicitly detail the specific driver circuit configurations (outputting a plurality of currents) and switch assembly functionalities (coupling current to one, the other, or both LED pluralities for mixing) as precisely claimed in US11751302, nor does it explicitly teach the scaling factor for driver current relative to LED count across modules to maintain consistent luminance per LED.

5. US20180231226A1

• Full Citation: US20180231226A1 - Led lighting device - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Publication Date: 2018-08-16
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2017-02-10
• Brief Description: This patent describes an LED lighting device capable of controlling both luminance and color temperature. It utilizes multiple LED packages, each potentially including various colored LEDs (e.g., red, green, blue, white, warm white, cool white). A control circuit adjusts the driving current to these LEDs to achieve desired brightness and color temperature settings.
• Potential Anticipation: Similar to US20170223800A1, this reference strongly anticipates the core functions of color temperature and luminance control. It discloses:
  • A plurality of LEDs (e.g., warm white and cool white) for color temperature adjustment.
  • A control circuit and power supply to adjust driving current for brightness and color temperature.
  • The ability to select color temperature and dimming.
  • This covers the functionality of Claims 1 (first part), 3, 4, 5, and 18 (first modular lighting apparatus portion) regarding color temperature and luminance control within a single lighting device. However, it does not explicitly describe a linear LED lighting apparatus with LEDs in "linear shapes," nor the unique modular scaling feature for connected modules of different lengths as claimed in US11751302.

6. US20190239298A1

• Full Citation: US20190239298A1 - Lighting fixture with selectable color temperature - Abl Ip Holding Llc
• Publication Date: 2019-08-01
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2018-01-26
• Brief Description: This patent describes a lighting fixture where the user can select the color temperature. It employs at least two groups of LEDs with different correlated color temperatures (CCTs). A switch assembly includes a selector switch to power the first group, the second group, or both simultaneously to achieve an intermediate CCT. The fixture also incorporates a driver circuit with multiple output channels for different drive currents, and a dimming switch to select the desired drive current level.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference is arguably the most relevant for the internal control mechanisms of US11751302 within a single fixture. It explicitly discloses:
  • A first group of LEDs with a first CCT and a second group of LEDs with a second CCT.
  • A switch assembly with a selector switch to energize the first group, the second group, or both to achieve the first, second, or an intermediate CCT, respectively.
  • A driver circuit configured to output a plurality of drive currents.
  • A dimming switch to select a desired drive current level.
  • This directly anticipates the core functionality of Claims 1 (first part), 3, 4, 5, and 18 (first modular lighting apparatus portion), including the detailed operation of the first and second switches for both luminance and color temperature selection/mixing. The specific phrase "cause a first portion... to couple to each LED of the first plurality of LEDs, cause the first portion... to couple to each LED of the second plurality of LEDs, or cause half of the first portion... to couple to each LED of the first plurality of LEDs and each LED of the second plurality of LEDs" in Claim 18 is strongly reflected by the selector switch activating one group, the other, or both.
  • However, this patent does not explicitly describe a linear arrangement of the LED pluralities within the fixture, nor the modular design for connecting different length fixtures with scaled LED counts and driver currents to maintain consistent luminance per LED across the entire system, which are distinguishing features of US11751302.

7. KR20190108511A

• Full Citation: KR20190108511A - Light emitting diode driver for load changes - 인피니언 테크놀로지스 아게 (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Publication Date: 2019-09-24
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2018-03-14
• Brief Description: This patent describes an LED driver circuit designed to efficiently handle variations in LED load, such as changes resulting from adding or removing LED modules. The driver adjusts its output to ensure stable and consistent operation of the connected LEDs despite these load changes.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference is relevant to the driver's ability to adapt to varying loads, a foundational concept for the modular scaling described in US11751302. It discloses:
  • An LED driver designed to handle "load changes" (e.g., changes in the number of connected LEDs) while maintaining stable output characteristics.
  • This general concept could be seen as broadly supportive of the goal in Claims 10, 15 (current regulator), 17, and 20, which relate to maintaining consistent current per LED in a modular system. However, it does not explicitly teach the specific linear modular lighting system with scaled numbers of LEDs and driver current outputs to maintain consistent individual LED luminance, nor the color temperature control features.

8. US20200118482A1

• Full Citation: US20200118482A1 - Display apparatus and control method thereof - [Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.
• Publication Date: 2020-04-16
• Filing Date (Priority Date): 2018-10-16
• Brief Description: This patent describes a display apparatus and its control method, primarily focusing on adjusting the brightness and color temperature of the display. It involves controlling the driving currents of different color LEDs (e.g., red, green, blue, and white) based on color temperature adjusting signals and brightness adjusting signals.
• Potential Anticipation: Similar to other Samsung and Tm Technology patents cited, this reference broadly anticipates the functionality of color temperature and luminance control in an LED apparatus. It discloses:
  • LEDs (e.g., RGBW) for color temperature adjustment.
  • A control circuit to adjust driving currents for brightness and color temperature.
  • The ability to generate color temperature adjusting signals and brightness adjusting signals.
  • This covers aspects of Claims 1 (first part), 3, 4, 5, and 18 (first modular lighting apparatus portion) regarding adjustable color temperature and luminance within a single unit. However, like many other citations, it is directed to a "display apparatus" and does not describe a linear LED lighting apparatus, nor the modular scaling aspects for interconnected fixtures of different lengths, which are unique to US11751302.

Most Relevant Prior Art:

Considering the claims of US11751302, the most relevant prior art references are:

1. US20190239298A1 (Abl Ip Holding Llc): This patent is the most relevant for anticipating the internal control mechanisms of US11751302, specifically the driver circuit providing multiple currents and the switch assembly for selecting and mixing different color temperatures and adjusting luminance levels within a single light fixture. It explicitly details the functionality for switching between two color temperatures or combining them for an intermediate one, along with dimming control.

2. US20180209626A1 (Hubbell Incorporated): This patent is the most relevant for anticipating the modular and linear aspects of US11751302. It clearly teaches linear LED modules that connect end-to-end to form longer luminaires, with electrical connectors and communication conductors. It also mentions modules having different color temperature LEDs.

While these two references individually anticipate significant portions of US11751302's claims, neither reference, nor a combination that is obvious, appears to fully anticipate claims that combine: (1) a linear LED lighting apparatus, (2) with the specific switch-selectable multiple color temperatures (including mixing) and luminance levels, AND (3) being modularly connectable such that different length modules (with scaled numbers of LEDs) automatically adjust driver current by the same scale factor to maintain consistent luminance per LED across the entire combined length, potentially with inter-module communication for automatic calibration. This combination, particularly the precise scaling of driver current with LED count in modular linear fixtures to ensure consistent individual LED luminance, represents a key distinguishing feature of US11751302 not fully present in any single cited prior art.

Under 35 U.S.C. § 103, a patent claim is obvious if "the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains." This analysis considers whether a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have been motivated to combine known prior art elements to arrive at the claimed invention, with a reasonable expectation of success.

The key aspects of US Patent 11751302 relate to:

1. A linear LED lighting apparatus with an array of LEDs including at least two pluralities of LEDs producing different color temperatures, and a driver circuit and switch assembly to select color temperature and luminance (Claim 1).
2. A modular linear LED lighting system where modules of different lengths can be electrically coupled, and the driver current scales with the number of LEDs by a scale factor to maintain consistent luminance (Claim 10).
3. A modular linear LED lighting system that combines these features, including the ability to mix currents to different color temperature LED strings for intermediate color temperatures (Claim 18).
4. Automatic adjustment of current across connected modules to maintain consistent luminance.

Several combinations of prior art references would render these claims obvious.

Combination 1: Tunable Color Temperature and Dimmable Linear LED Fixtures

Prior Art References:

• US9995440B2 (Intematix Corporation): "Color temperature tunable and dimmable solid-state linear lighting arrangements"
• US20190239298A1 (Abl Ip Holding Llc): "Lighting fixture with selectable color temperature"
• US20170223800A1 (Tm Technology, Inc): "Light emitting module, dimmer system and controller for color temperature modulation"

Obviousness Analysis:
Claim 1 of US11751302 describes a linear LED lighting apparatus with a first plurality of LEDs of a first color temperature and a second plurality of LEDs of a second, different color temperature. It includes a driver circuit outputting multiple currents and a switch assembly with a first switch to select a current and a second switch to direct that current to the first LEDs, second LEDs, or both.

US9995440B2 explicitly teaches "color temperature tunable and dimmable solid-state linear lighting arrangements". This directly anticipates the core features of providing both selectable color temperature and adjustable luminance in a linear LED fixture. A PHOSITA would understand that "color temperature tunable" typically involves using at least two different color temperature LED sources (e.g., warm white and cool white) and a control mechanism to vary their relative intensities, as further detailed in US20190239298A1, which describes a "lighting fixture with selectable color temperature". US20170223800A1 further teaches a "dimmer system and controller for color temperature modulation", which directly teaches the use of a driver (dimmer system) and a controller/switch (controller) to achieve both dimming (luminance control via current selection) and color temperature adjustment.

The specific mechanism of using a "first switch configured to cause the driver circuit to output one of the plurality of currents" and a "second switch configured to cause the one of the plurality of currents to couple to the first plurality of LEDs, the second plurality of LEDs, or both" (Claim 1) would be obvious to a PHOSITA. In tunable white LED systems, it is a well-known technique to achieve intermediate color temperatures (e.g., 3500K from 3000K and 4000K strings, as described in US11751302) by activating both sets of LEDs simultaneously, often by splitting the current or adjusting the relative drive of each set.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA designing a modern linear LED fixture would be motivated to provide users with both color temperature tunability and dimmability, as these are desirable features for enhancing user experience and adapting lighting to different environments. US9995440B2 provides a direct teaching for such a combined system in a linear form factor. Implementing the control aspects through switches and a driver capable of outputting multiple currents, as generally known in the art (e.g., US20170223800A1), would be a routine design choice.

Combination 2: Modular Linear LED Systems with Scaled Current

Prior Art References:

• US9964289B2 (Tempo Industries, Llc): "LED light fixtures having plug-together light fixture modules"
• KR20190108511A (인피니언 테크놀로지스 아게): "Light emitting diode driver for load changes"
• US9791112B2 (Bridgelux, Inc.): "Serial and parallel LED configurations for linear lighting modules"

Obviousness Analysis:
Claim 10 and 18 of US11751302 describe a system of electrically coupled modular linear LED lighting apparatuses of different lengths. Crucially, the current output by the driver circuit in a longer module is greater than that in a shorter module by a "scale factor," matching the scale factor by which the number of LEDs is greater, to ensure consistent luminance per LED.

US9964289B2 teaches "LED light fixtures having plug-together light fixture modules". This clearly discloses the concept of modular linear LED fixtures that can be physically and electrically coupled to create longer runs. US9791112B2 further teaches "linear lighting modules" and "serial and parallel LED configurations," providing methods for arranging LEDs within such modules and distributing current.

A fundamental principle in LED lighting design is to provide a consistent current to each individual LED to achieve uniform luminance. When designing a modular system like those in US9964289B2, where modules of different lengths (and thus different numbers of LEDs) can be combined, a PHOSITA would recognize the need to adjust the total current supplied to maintain the desired current per individual LED. KR20190108511A discloses an "LED driver for load changes," which directly addresses the requirement for a driver to adapt its output based on the number of connected LEDs (the load). The concept that if a module has twice the number of LEDs (a scale factor of 2), its driver should output twice the current to maintain the same individual LED current and thus the same luminance, is a routine engineering calculation and design choice. The patent description itself explains this scaling: "the driver circuit of the 8-ft linear LED light fixture module may output twice the amount of current that the driver circuit of the 4-ft linear LED light fixture module may output. In the same manner, the number of LEDs in the LED array 16 of the 8-ft linear LED light fixture module may be twice the number of LEDs in the LED array 16 of the 4-ft linear LED light fixture module" (Description, Col. 4, lines 17-25).

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the modularity of US9964289B2 with current scaling techniques, such as those enabled by drivers like in KR20190108511A, to create a versatile linear LED system. The primary motivation would be to allow customers to easily assemble linear lighting runs of various lengths while ensuring uniform light output (consistent luminance) across the entire assembly, regardless of the individual module lengths or combination thereof. This provides a practical and aesthetically pleasing lighting solution.

Combination 3: Comprehensive Modular System with Tunable Color Temperature, Dimmability, and Automated Scaling

Prior Art References:

• US9995440B2 (Intematix Corporation): "Color temperature tunable and dimmable solid-state linear lighting arrangements"
• US9964289B2 (Tempo Industries, Llc): "LED light fixtures having plug-together light fixture modules"
• KR20190108511A (인피니언 테크놀로지스 아게): "Light emitting diode driver for load changes"
• US9726331B1 (Michael W. May): "Networked LED lighting system"
• US10683969B2 (Ledvance Llc): "Downlight with selectable lumens and correlated color temperature"

Obviousness Analysis:
Claim 18 combines elements of tunable color temperature and dimmability with modularity and scaling. It specifies a first modular apparatus with two CCT LED pluralities and a switch for selecting one, the other, or both (splitting current for intermediate CCT), and a second, electrically coupled modular apparatus with scaled LED pluralities and a corresponding driver/switch assembly. The automatic adjustment feature described in the specification for maintaining consistent luminance across connected modules is also relevant here.

By combining the teachings of US9995440B2 (tunable CCT and dimmable linear lighting) with US9964289B2 (plug-together modular fixtures), a PHOSITA would arrive at a modular linear LED system offering both color temperature and luminance control. The implementation of specific switches for controlling current output and directing it to different CCT LED strings, including splitting current for mixed CCTs, is a routine engineering adaptation based on common practices for tunable white systems (e.g., US20170223800A1, US20190239298A1, US10683969B2).

As established in Combination 2, applying the principle of scaling driver current proportionally to the number of LEDs in longer modules (as supported by KR20190108511A regarding "load changes" for LED drivers) would be obvious for maintaining consistent luminance across connected modules of varying lengths. Furthermore, the detailed description of US11751302 discusses a processor in the driver circuit that can "automatically adjust the DC current output... based on the number of LED strings or LEDs present... and the other linear LED light fixtures 10 that may be connected... to provide a consistent luminance across all of the connected linear LED light fixtures" (Description, Col. 8, lines 40-52). This automatic calibration feature, where modules communicate and adjust their output, is rendered obvious by references such as US9726331B1, which teaches a "Networked LED lighting system". Integrating a processor into a driver to manage its output based on sensed load or communication with other modules for uniform illumination is a routine application of known control and networking technologies in lighting systems.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA would be strongly motivated to create a highly flexible and user-friendly linear LED lighting system. Combining modularity (US9964289B2) with tunable color temperature and dimming capabilities (US9995440B2) allows for broad application in various spaces and user preferences. The integration of current scaling (KR20190108511A) and automatic adjustment via networking (US9726331B1) would address the practical engineering challenge of ensuring seamless, uniform, and consistent light quality (color and luminance) across an entire assembly of physically and electrically connected modules of potentially different lengths. This combination represents a logical progression in modular, controllable LED lighting design to meet market demands for versatility and ease of installation.